RIP Pekka Pohjola

Phe · #1 11-27-2008, 03:45 PM

The Finnish basslegend Pekka Pohjola died today.
Pohjola was considered to be one of Finlands best bassplayers. He was also a brilliant composer.
He played in the legendary prog-rock group Wigwam and later released multiple soloalbums, one or two with collaborations with Mike Oldfield.

Rest in Peace, General Bass.

Fetusyolk · #2 11-27-2008, 03:47 PM

He must not have liked turkey at all!

seriousness: best hopes have to go out to the family/friends of Pekka, i'm sure they're devastated.

Psychicpet · #3 11-27-2008, 03:48 PM

definitely some sad news.

respects to his family and friends.

Phe · #4 11-27-2008, 04:01 PM

Fortunately his legacy will live on in his sons who are tremendous musicians.

JAUQO III-X · #5 11-27-2008, 04:16 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtrvku2GmkA

Basstard79 · #6 11-27-2008, 04:53 PM

I remember reading about him in Bass Player magazine years ago, and I thought "wow, I must listen to this guy's work". Well, it never happened...

RIP Pekka

okabass · #7 11-30-2008, 10:07 AM

HI

Sad news. Sit tibi terra levis.

PS. Check these.
http://uk.youtube.com/results?search...aq=4&oq=pekka+

Stifflip · #8 11-30-2008, 10:50 AM

This is a huge loss for Finnish music. He will be truly missed.

For those of you who don't know who Pekka Pohjola was: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekka_Pohjola

http://yle.fi/elavaarkisto/?s=s&a=3438 (As far as I know, this is only viewable in Finland)

T-Bird · #9 11-30-2008, 10:56 AM

Hi.

Damn, that's sad news.

He plays in a good company now.

Regards
Sam

TribalEagle · #10 12-02-2008, 07:05 AM

Sad to hear this.. He was really one of the best

with "Made in Sweden" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a-E5TF1JlI

(kinda weird feeling to wach the video Jauqo posted, cos I played on that exact same stage this summer..)

Btw. I saw hes main bass rig on sale few months ago.. I hope it went to some player who can appreciate it..

Matt Till · #11 12-02-2008, 09:02 PM

zombywoof5050 · #12 12-06-2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalEagle

with "Made in Sweden" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a-E5TF1JlI

Thanks, that was a nice solo.

RIP, Pekka!

Webtroll · #13 12-06-2008, 07:33 AM

Impressive playing and I was left wondering... what was that extra switch on the pickguard?

guitfiddle0409 · #14 12-06-2008, 07:36 AM

Very sad; The Mathematician's Air Display was one of my favorite prog pieces back in the '70's.

PhR · #15 12-12-2008, 02:45 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGwxQpneo1E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-utYBPgPgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-X3SnH4V8w

Pohjola Group 1981 (Kätkä, Tyni, Tyni, Pohjola)

1.Impun Tango (Urban Tango 1982)
2. Kädet suoristavat veden (Keesojen Lehto a.k.a. Mathematician's Air Display 1977)
3. Dancing In The Dark (Visitation 1979)

Great and rare stuff!

Petethebassman · #16 12-12-2008, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webtroll

Impressive playing and I was left wondering... what was that extra switch on the pickguard?

Might be an on/off switch for the extra pickup, in the video you can see Pekka's Jazz Bass had an extra J pickup added next to the bridge pickup. That 1970 sunburst Jazz was practically a trademark of his, he played it since the early 70's as his main bass and exclusively after the early 1980's when his P-bass was stolen. I remember the first time I saw him play another bass, it was a gig at Tavastia club in Helsinki, mid-1990s. The band came onstage to start the gig; right before they began to play there was a moment of hushed silence and somebody yelled "Pekka!! Where's your Fender?" I think his reply was "It's resting at home". He retired that Jazz Bass later on, it's now owned by his sons, both of whom are musicians.

Psychosis · #17 12-15-2008, 10:41 AM

Pekka Pohjola never got the credit he deserved as a bass player. His work with Wigwam and Made In Sweden is amazing. You should all listen to a Wigwam - Frederick & Bill from the Tombstone Valentine album. There's a very cool bass solo in that song, and it's amazing that he was only 18 when they recorded it, and it was in Finland 1970! I wonder from where he took his stuff, because I haven't heard any bass player who played anything like him during the early 70's.

NickInMesa · #18 02-18-2009, 11:18 PM

I remember him from some Mike Oldfield albums and attached tour.

Oldfield, although an awesome guitarist, is not a great bass player, I think he never understood the instrument, and eventually hired real bassists to play bass.

Pohjola's work with Oldfield is all I know of him, and I loved this work.